The Met: Live in HD opera series discussion group begins Oct. 3

STUART - Greg Strahm, Metropolitan Opera HD Ambassador, will lecture then lead a discussion on the historical period, composer, contemporary influences and excerpts from the Live in HD opera series on Thursdays, Oct. 3, Oct. 24, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12 from 2–3:30 p.m. at the Robert Morgade Library, 5851 SE Community Drive, Stuart. The schedule for 2014 lectures will be announced at a later date.

As a Met HD ambassador, Strahm uses video clips and relevant historical information to educate and bring the audience closer to the Met. The lectures take place just prior to each Live in HD broadcast and prepare attendees to watch live opera transmitted from the Met stage to local participating movie theaters. For more information, visit http://www.metoperafamily.org/metoper....

• Oct. 24 – Shostakovich's The Nose. Paulo Szot reprises his acclaimed performance of a bureaucrat, whose satirical misadventures in search of his missing nose are based on Gogol's comic story.

• Nov. 7 – Puccini's Tosca. Puccini's timeless verismo score is led by Patricia Racette in the title role of the jealous diva, opposite Roberto Alagna as her lover, Cavaradossi. George Gagnidze is the villainous Scarpia.

• Dec. 12 – Verdi's Falstaff. Robert Carsen's production is the first new Met Falstaff since 1964 and is set in the English countryside in the mid-20th century.

Greg Strahm's career in the performing arts spans 40 years. He is a former ballet dancer, choreographer, teacher and musician. He currently lectures on opera for the Stuart chapter of the Brandeis National Committee. This is his first season as a Metropolitan Opera HD Ambassador.